Improved mode of extinguishing fires



raras PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES ALDEN, OF NEWBURG, NEW YORK.

kkIIVIPROVED MODE OF EXTINGUISHING FlRES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 59,] 56, dated October30, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known' that I, GHARLEs ALBEN, of Newburg, county of Oange, andState of New York, have invented certain new andstructing a building oftire-proof materials of v any kind desired, and the dividing orarranging said building into air-tight compari;

ments, said air-tight compartments being separated'by air-spaces, andthe arrangement of suitable pipes for exhausting the air from thesecompartments, forming a vacuum to extinguish tire, and ,the employmentot' steam, with suitable arrangement for conveying from thesecompartments the condensation and surplus steam.

The buildingis divided into air-tight compartments of any desirable sizeand form, and is provided with air spaces orfiues between or surroundingeach compartment, rendering them entirely independent of each other.Connecting with these air-tight chambers and airues is a series ofpipes, through which steam may be ejected into the chambers toextinguish res, and through'said pipes in the airspaces the condensationmay pass 0E andthe steam escape, if desired. By this arrangement thecompartment may be closed and the steam contined therein, or a currentof steam passing through until theflames are extinguished.

Connecting with this series of pipes may be arranged an exhaust or airpump, by which the air in these compartments can be exhausted, forming avacuum for extinguishing tire.

A in the annexed drawings represents a building of any fire-proofmaterial desired, and divided into compartments rendered air-tight inany suitable manner. The doors of these compartments are constructed soas to close air-tight.

The several compartments B are separated from each other, and renderedindependent by means of air-spaces C extending' fromy the foundation tothe top of the building, and laterally or across the building, formingthe floor E of one chamber and the ceiling of the other.

This building may be divided in the center by a passage-way, D, throughwhich freightwagons may pass to deliver and receive goods ormerchandise.

The spaces between the floors and ceiling may be lled with anynon-conductor of heat, if preferred.

Through the passage-way D a main pipe, d, is placed, which communicatesby means ot' branch pipes @with the several compartments. Through thispipe D steam may be ejected into all ythe compartments simultaneouslythrough the branches e, orinto any number of the chambers independent ofthe others.

Each compartment is provided with a wastepipe, f, through which thecondensation of steam may pass oft' through the air-spaces C.- Thesewaste-pipes from the several air-tight compartments connect with a pipe,g,.in common, entending the entire height of the building.

In the use of steam for extinguishing fire a constant current may bepassed through the compartments, the surplus steam passing up throughthe outside pipe, g.

Having lthus described my n invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- 1. A building composed of a series ot airtightcompartments, separated from each other by air-spaces or air-chambers,for the purpose specified.

2. The arrangement of pipes d ef g, n oombinntion with the air-spaces CD, and airtight compartments B, constructed substantially as described.

The above specification ot my invention signed by me this 27th day ofSeptember,

CHARLES ALDEN. VVitneSSes:

WM. F. MCNAMARA, NV. HAUFF.

